Your fear is, that if you marry Adèle, you will love her. If you have children, you will love them more than anything else in the world, more than patriotism, more than democracy. If your children grow up, and prove traitors to the people, will you be able to demand their deaths, as the Romans did? Perhaps you will, but perhaps you will not be able to do it. You're afraid that if you love people you may be deflected from your duty, but it's because of another kind of love, isn't it, that the duty is laid upon you?
The quote reflects the internal conflict of an individual who fears that love for their future family could undermine their sense of duty. It suggests a tension between personal affection and the obligations to society or political ideals. The character grapples with the possibility that loving a spouse and children might complicate their ability to make difficult choices for the greater good, such as demanding loyalty or accountability when those loved ones stray from expected norms.
This fear reveals a deeper anxiety about emotional connections, where love becomes a potential weakness that hinders decisive action. The notion that love could dilute one's commitment to larger principles invites contemplation about the balance between personal relationships and societal responsibilities. Ultimately, it underscores a profound struggle between the heart's desires and the demands of a moral or civic duty.